SiliconBeat

Global investment in clean-energy projects in the year’s first quarter fell 44% from the fourth quarter of 2008 and 53% below 1Q 2008, according to New Energy Finance.

The London-based researcher said investment into solar, wind and biofuel plants fell to $13.3 billion in January-March of this year. The blame falls mainly on the credit crunch, the recession and the perilous stock markets worldwide.

New Energy Finance described the drop as unprecedented, and even the stimulus efforts worldwide aren’t helping — yet.

“Green stimulus plans may represent the light at the end of the tunnel for clean-energy companies, but meanwhile the sector has been hit by an oncoming train,” Michael Liebreich, CEO/chairman of New Energy Finance, said in a statement.

Some report highlights:

* VC and private equity spending fell 22% in 1Q 2009 vs. 4Q 2008.

* Stock-market investors contributed a measly $100 million to pure-play clean-energy companies.

* Merger, acquisition and refi activity fell to $8.8 billion the 4th quarter, down from $17.3B in the Q4 2008 and $18.8B in Q1 2008.

The report notes that $148 billion was invested into clean energy in 2007 and $155 billion in 2008. As the report says in a pithy note, “It will take a very sharp acceleration in investment in the remaing three quarters for this year to match 2008 levels.”

The Cleantech Group also has reported on the segment, saying VC investment into cleantech fell to $1 billion in the first quarter, down 48 percent from the same period a year ago. Its report covers venture investments in North America, Europe, China and India.